The Pilgrim's Progress (Part I)

Section 5 - Talkative and Faithful

TALKATIVE

Moreover I saw in my dream,that as they went on, FAITHFUL, as he chanced to look on one side, saw a man whose name is TALKATIVE, walking at a distance beside them – for in this place there was room for them all to walk. He was a tall man, and somewhat more comely at a distance than at hand. To this man FAITHFUL addressed himself in this manner:

Faith. Friend, whither away? Are you going to the heavenly country?

Talkative. I am going to that same place.

Faith. That is well; then I hope we may have your good company?

Talk. With a very good will I will be your companion.

Faith. Come on then, and let us go together; and let us spend our time in discoursing of things that are profitable.

Talk. To talk of things that are good with you or with any other, to me is very acceptable; and I am glad that I have met with those that incline to so good a work. For, to speak the truth, there are but few that care thus to spend their time (as they are in their travels), but choose much rather to be speaking of things to no profit; and this hath been a trouble to me.

Faith. That is indeed a thing to be lamented; for what things so worthy of the use of the tongue and mouth of men on earth, as are the things of the God of heaven?

Talk. I like you wonderful well, for your saying is full of conviction; and I will add, What thing is so pleasant, and what so profitable, as to talk of the things of God?

What things so pleasant? – that is, if a man hath any delight in things that are wonderful: for instance, if a man doth delight to talk of the history or the mystery of things; or if a man doth love to talk of miracles, wonders, or signs – where shall he find things recorded so delightful, and so sweetly penned as in the Holy Scripture?

Faith. That's true; but to be profited by such things in our talk should be that which we design.

Talk. That is it that I said: for to talk of such things is most profitable; for by so doing, a man may get knowledge of many things – as of the vanity of earthly things, and the benefit of things above (thus in general): but more particularly, by this a man may learn the necessity of the new birth; the insufficiency of our works; the need of Christ's righteousness, and so forth. Besides, by this a man may learn what it is to repent, to believe, to pray, to suffer, or the like; by this also a man may learn what are the great promises and consolations of the Gospel, to his own comfort. Further, by this a man may learn to refute false opinions; to vindicate the truth; and also to instruct the ignorant.

Faith. All this is true; and glad am I to hear these things from you.

Talk. Alas! the want of this is the cause that so few understand the need of faith, and the necessity of a work of grace in their soul, in order to gain eternal life; but ignorantly live in the works of the law, by which a man can by no means obtain the Kingdom of Heaven .

Faith. But, by your leave, heavenly knowledge of these is the gift of God; no man attains to them by human industry, or only by the talk of them.

Talk. All this I know very well; for a man can receive nothing except it be given him from heaven, – all is of grace, not of works: I could give you a hundred scriptures for the confirmation of this.

Faith. "Well then," said FAITHFUL, "what is that one thing that we shall at this time found our discourse upon?"

Talk. What you will: I will talk of things heavenly, or things earthly; things moral, or things evangelical; things sacred, or things profane; things past, or things to come; things foreign, or things at home; things more essential, or things circumstantial – provided that all be done to our profit.